Roosevelt Icers Fall at Orange

Go figure.

On Thursday evening the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders hockey team defeated White East division leading and, previously unbeaten in league play, Kenston 10-0. On Friday, the Riders traveled to play Orange, a team that was winless in league play, and lost 4-2.

“There’s a lot of hockey left to play this season and, in the end, the Orange Lions will have a lot of wins in the win column as they are a good team, a well-coached team and a deep, talented team,” observed Roosevelt Coach Ben Barlow after the loss.

Rider junior Kyle Manning recorded the only goal scored in the first period. Manning’s goal was assisted by sophomores Gordie Fisher and Dontae Montemayor.

The league foes also combined for six penalties in a physically tough opening stanza.

Each team netted a goal in the second period, Jacob Yelsky for the Lions, and Scott Rainey for the Rough Riders on a nicely executed power play pass and assist by Tyler Gallagher.

In the third period, however, Orange dominated the score sheet with three unanswered goals, one each by Chad Sonkin, Justin Holm and Brian Joseph.

“I think their depth ended up catching up to us, they had a little fresher legs and didn’t play Thursday night. They played extremely aggressive in the third period and got off to a really good start,” noted Barlow.

“Hockey is such a chess match and goals are scored almost every time because other teams make critical mistakes. They capitalized on two critical mistakes we made that led to goals.”

“In a league game, if our top forwards and top D (defensemen) are not playing up to their potential every night, we have potential to lose. They know that and will learn from their mistakes.”

For the game, Orange goalie Peter Shapiro saved 28 of the 30 shots he faced, while Roosevelt goalie Nate Grootegoed made 35 saves on 39 shots.

Blue line notes:

• Upon completion of Friday night’s game, Roosevelt is 3-3-1 in White East Division league play and are in second place. They Riders trail division leader Kenston by a single point. Overall the Riders are 8–4–1.

• The Riders' next three games are in the Walsh Jesuit Martin Luther King tournament at Kent State University Ice Arena, Jan. 13-15. The Riders will face tough competition from Red Division South teams Holy Name, Walsh Jesuit and Hudson.